Combined device comprising a venous blood reservoir and a cardiotomy reservoir in an extracorporeal circuit

Abstract

A combined device having a reservoir for venous blood and a reservoir for cardiotomy blood is disclosed. The device is characterized in that the venous reservoir is separated from the cardiotomy reservoir by a partition which includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures are in fluid communication with a plurality of ducts and passageways which are configured to provide various modes of operation depending upon whether, for the particular surgical conditions, it is desired to mix venous and cardiotomy blood, or to isolate those blood pools from each other.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A combined blood reservoir comprising: 
       a first reservoir for receiving and containing venous blood;  
       a second reservoir for receiving and containing cardiotomy blood;  
       a partition located between the first and second reservoirs, the partition having first and second openings defining first and second fluid paths between the first and second reservoirs;  
       a seal configured to be movable from a first position wherein the first opening is sealed to prevent flow of blood from the second reservoir to the first reservoir through the first opening and a second position wherein the first opening is not sealed to allow flow of blood through the first fluid path from the second reservoir to the first reservoir; and  
       an overflow member connected to the second opening, the overflow member being configured such that when the seal is in the second position and the first reservoir is full blood from the first reservoir overflows into the second reservoir through the second fluid path.  
     
     
       2. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 1  wherein the overflow member is further configured such that when the seal is in the first position and the second reservoir is full blood from the second reservoir overflows into the first reservoir through the second fluid path. 
     
     
       3. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 2  wherein the overflow member is a duct extending from the second opening and having an upper outlet contained within the second reservoir. 
     
     
       4. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 1  wherein the overflow member is a duct extending from the second opening and having an upper outlet contained within the second reservoir. 
     
     
       5. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 1  wherein the seal comprises an axially movable column having first and second ends, the first end being configured to seal the first opening when the seal is in the first position. 
     
     
       6. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 5  wherein the axially movable column defines a first passageway between the first and second ends, the first passageway providing a fluid path between the first and second reservoirs when the seal is in the first position. 
     
     
       7. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 1  wherein the first and second reservoirs are defined by a single housing. 
     
     
       8. A combined blood reservoir comprising: 
       a venous reservoir for containing venous blood, the venous reservoir having a venous blood inlet and a venous blood outlet;  
       a cardiotomy reservoir for containing cardiotomy blood, the cardiotomy reservoir being positioned above the venous reservoir and having a cardiotomy blood inlet and a gas outlet;  
       a partition between the venous reservoir and the cardiotomy reservoir, the partition including first and second apertures capable of providing fluid communication between the venous reservoir and the cardiotomy reservoir;  
       a seal configured to be movable from a first position wherein the first aperture is sealed to prevent flow of blood from the cardiotomy reservoir to the venous reservoir through the first aperture and a second position wherein the first aperture is open to allow flow of blood from the cardiotomy reservoir to the venous reservoir through the first opening; and  
       at least one duct extending upward from the second aperture, the duct having an upper outlet contained within the cardiotomy reservoir, the duct being positioned such that when the seal is in the second position and the venous reservoir is full venous blood from the venous reservoir overflows into the cardiotomy reservoir through the second aperture.  
     
     
       9. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 8  wherein the duct is positioned such that when the seal is in the first position and the cardiotomy reservoir is full blood from the cardiotomy reservoir overflows into the venous reservoir through the second aperture. 
     
     
       10. The cardiotomy combined blood reservoir of  claim 9  wherein the seal comprises an axially movable column having first and second ends, the first end being configured to seal the first aperture when the seal is in the first position. 
     
     
       11. The combined blood reservoir of  claim 10  wherein the axially movable column defines a first passageway between the first and second ends, the first passageway providing a fluid path between the venous reservoir and cardiotomy reservoir when the seal is in the first position. 
     
     
       12. A combined blood reservoir comprising: 
       a venous reservoir for receiving and containing venous blood;  
       a cardiotomy reservoir for receiving and containing cardiotomy blood;  
       a first fluid passage between the venous reservoir and cardiotomy reservoir for blood flow from the cardiotomy reservoir to the venous reservoir;  
       a seal movable between a first position wherein the first passage is open and a second position wherein the first passage is closed; and  
       a second overflow passage between the venous reservoir and the cardiotomy reservoir, the second passage being configured such that when the seal is in the first position and the venous reservoir is full blood from the venous reservoir overflows into the cardiotomy reservoir through the second passage and when the seal is in the second position and the cardiotomy reservoir is substantially full blood from the cardiotomy reservoir overflows into the venous reservoir through the second passage.  
     
     
       13. A combined blood reservoir comprising: 
       a venous reservoir for receiving and containing venous blood;  
       a cardiotomy reservoir for receiving and containing cardiotomy blood;  
       a first fluid passage between the venous reservoir and cardiotomy reservoir for blood flow from the cardiotomy reservoir to the venous reservoir;  
       a seal movable between a first position wherein the first passage is open and a second position wherein the first passage is closed; and  
       a second overflow passage between the venous reservoir and the cardiotomy reservoir, the second passage being configured such that when the venous reservoir is full blood from the venous reservoir overflows into the cardiotomy reservoir through the second passage.